Are fractal flames really fractals?

[pswanson]

I have been creating various fractal flames using Apophysis for some time now.  In the literature these structures have been referred to as a particular class of fractals.  However, most of them do not exhibit self-similarity (like that found in a Sierpinski triangle).  Why then are the flame objects referred to as fractals?

[TheRedshiftRider]

If I remember correctly they are partly IFS fractals. With apophysis it is possible to apply strange attractors and other filters to them. As far as I know they are still fractals but they might not look like it.

[DarkBeam]

Correct